Ah. Started reading this but I note I was pulled away before finishing it. Ingwion is having to learn to let go and let God, then. I see. And they are judged equal to Finrod and Glorfindel in finding ways of plaguing the Valar? I hope this helps the Valar keep their own sense of perspective. Heh!
Author's reply
Ingwion does indeed need to let go and let Eru. *grin* I think the Valar actually enjoy all the mayhem these particular Children can and do cause... it does indeed help them keep their own sense of perspective and humor.
Kitty
· 2 June 2008
· Chapter 12: The Hunters Four
Ah, an update just in time to entertain me during my lunch break :)
Hmmm ... Oromë thinks that Beleg and Sador may have to play a part in bringing back Glorfindel and Finrod? And in this way? Hadn't expected that, but then, I was never sure how our two wayward warrriors would be able to return. And it seems to work - sort of ... why do I get the feeling that Beleg has escaped in the other dimension, too, even if only by fëa? In this case, maybe he can explain to Finrod and Glorfindel how to do it?
That was absolutely fascinating, to watch how these four got into contact with each other and the searched for their friends. My only complaint is that it stops too soon ;-) Can't wait for the next update!
Author's reply
How they get Finrod and Glorfindel back where they belong will be revealed shortly, but the next chapter will actually return to our intrepid duo, who, if you recall, were still waiting for Lord Manwë to come and explain things to them. The two plotlines will eventually merge a few chapters down the road.
I'm glad you found this chapter fascinating. I'm sorry if it was too short, but that's what the muse showed me. Next chapter will be much longer, to make up for it. *grin* Thanks for reviewing.
Tari
· 30 May 2008
· Chapter 4: Further Truths Revealed
Oh dear. Why can’t Glorfindel see Eärendil’s star and why wasn’t he supposed to know about it? The chapter started out on a happy note of sorts, but the last paragraph was quite dark. I almost hesitate to find out what happens next, but find out I will.
Tari
Author's reply
The whys and wherefores of Glorfindel's inability to see Eärendil's star will be explained later on, though not immediately. It's not as dire as it seems, nor as dark, but there is a reason for all this.
Tari
· 28 May 2008
· Chapter 3: Truths Unfolding
This is really becoming quite nerve wracking. I can’t help but wonder why Glorfindel keeps fleeing his hröa. There seems to be so much fear in him and he doesn’t know how to handle it or where to turn to for help. He probably doesn’t even know he needs help. Yips.
Tari
Author's reply
There may be many reasons why he keeps fleeing his hröa, but I think in time he will learn to control himself and stay in one place. *grin* The Valar are as much at a loss as the rest of us about it. Hopefully, someone will figure it out eventually.
Tari
· 28 May 2008
· Chapter 2: Answers Unforthcoming
This is absolutely horrible. I cannot believe that Finrod and Glorfindel will never return home, but will live in limbo forever. Eru just would not do that to them. This is most stressful for me
Tari
Author's reply
Well you know for a fact that that won't happen since we all know that Glorfindel returns to Middle-earth at some point in the future. Don't worry, Atar won't allow them to languish there fro too long.
You have made me weep, meldonya. This was utterly beautiful. I especially appreciated the references to Dante's Divine Comedy.
Author's reply
Thanks, Edlyn. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter.
obsidianj
· 27 May 2008
· Chapter 9: Playing at World's End
Lord Namo and his bets. I get the feeling he uses bets to get to do things he would like to do, but thinks are not quite fitting for his station. When he wants to play he loses a bet.
I love the father/son interaction here. Vorondil really has a vivid imagination... if he lets it run wild. But he needs some encouragement.
Author's reply
When [Námo] wants to play he loses a bet.
That sounds about right. *grin*
I don't think Vorondil was ever encouraged by his parents to be imaginative, but now that he's interacted with people like Finrod and Glorfindel, both of whom are very imagniative and inventive, he's learning that it's a good thing to have and is now being encourage to develop his imagination more. Having his father get invovled in the process will hopefully strengthen their bond in the right direction.
Tari
· 27 May 2008
· Chapter 1: Questions That Need Answers
A new dimension? And why would Eru send them there? This is a very interesting situation.
The Valar are better than taking sleep aids. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could use one of them as needed instead of taking a pill? I’d develop insomnia just for the chance to meet one.
Tari
Author's reply
You probably haven't read my story Wars of the Valar in which part of the plot revolves around finding the tenth spatial dimension (modern cosmologists believe there are 10 spatial and 1 temporal dimension comprising our universe).
Valar as sleeping aids.... sounds good to me! *grin*
Ces
· 27 May 2008
· Chapter 11: Ingwion iYánassë Elenion
The way you describe not only the clothes worn by your characters but their surroundings, the details, the rooms, etc. just blows me away. Your words are both beautiful and an inspiration. You draw the reader right into the story.
I found myself relaxing, along with Ingwion. When he gazed up for the first time so did I. Only I found a ceiling, not stars!
I don't think it has fully hit him yet that he was in the presence of Atar who loves all his children without reserve. I mean, on a deeper level he knows, but there must have been a million things going through his mind at the time!
Ces
Author's reply
Thanks, Ces, I'm glad you like my descriptions. I try to give just enough to draw the reader in and put them in 'place' without overloading the story with too much description. I like to leave some room for each reader to fill in the gaps as they please. Seems like everyone got relaxed with this chapter. *grin* And I don't think Ingwion has fully realized just what has happened to him. It'll take time for it all to sink in.
Eru always has a way of making people feel relax, doesn't he? Even reading this makes me relax! Sorry that I haven't review for so long....lets just say it's a sour mix of exams and the nagging voice in your head.:D
Author's reply
Atar wants all his Children to be relaxed in his presence. The last thing he really wants is for us to fear him. Anyway, I hope you survive the exam period and will be able to review more often soon. Thanks for taking the time to do so now. I really appreciate it.
I promised I'd be back when I was a bit more articulate, so let's hope the wait helped...The door without a handle…like the invitation to prayer and/or repentance...by invitation, a persuasion that is also a gentle discipline. Ingwion’s actions here bring to mind the purification rites of the Temple Mount, the drinking of the holy water, and later immersion. Each image here is richer than the last, with so many layers of meaning…
Even though Ingwion does not know what to expect, and even appears a little impatient, I wonder if he suspects he will leave this place as more than he was before. To stand in Atar’s presence will have a lasting effect he will be a long time processing even though he has yet to realize how profoundly he has changed. To have such an experience as this is what some only dream of or hope for, and sadly feel unworthy or fearful of. And as Ingwion, if we do chance to find ourselves out among the stars, all too soon the real world intrudes once more, and the things we have learned fade from our grasp. We are left with a longing unnameable, but always the desire to return to the place where we were for a moment, all we were intended to be.
Author's reply
Now, you see? That wasn't too hard, was it? How many cups of coffee did you need before you could write all that, anyway? LOL!
Seriously, though, your allusion to the purification rites of the Temple Mount holds very true, although I also had in mind the baptismal rites of the Christian church as well when I wrote this. Plus the fact that at the time I wrote this I was in the middle of reading Dante and was heavily influenced by him.
Ingwion has indeed had a life-altering experience, although it will take time for him to process it and claim it for himself. But then, he's an Elf, so he's got plenty of time for that. *grin*
Hopefully the experience will not fade as much for Ingwion as it would for us Mortals and he will be able to return (at least in memory) to that time and place more easily than we could.
The descriptions in the meager words Ingwion was able to find were quite moving and profound. I especailly liked the way he described the other Being as looking at him with love akin to what he saw in his own parents' eyes. very telling of the love his parents bear for him and of the pale shadow that love casts when compared to the love that Eru showed him. This was an incredible chapter and beautifully evocative one. Nicely done!
Author's reply
The words may have been meager, but they were heartfelt and sincere and that's all Eru wants from us. The love Ingwion enjoys from his parents is indeed a pale shadow compared to the love Eru shows him, but such shadows are all we have in this world. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for reviewing.
Fascinating, Fiondil. I’d love to see this chapel – from your description it has to be so beautiful! And Ingwion got to meet Atar – not sure if it was a dream or a vision or whatever, but it does not really matter anyway. I hope at least it helped Ingwion to finally lay the past – and what happened back then - to rest and to look forward to the future.
Author's reply
As you say, real or not, it doesn't matter so long as Ingwion gets the 'message' and moves on with his life. Thanks for reviewing.
Oh, that was beautiful! I feel very relaxed and ready to face the day! Of course having a lapfull of purring cat might have helped as well!
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
A lapfull of purring cat definitely helps. LOL! Glad you liked this.
I am in utter awe.
I felt as if I were right there with Ingwion... and the words of Atar resonated so...
Fiondil, it is going to take me some time to finish processing this enough to be more articulate in my commentary. Just be assured that of everything you've ever written--this has wrapped itself around me and in me, and touched my heart and mind and soul.
Eru bless you.
Author's reply
Well, your reaction is typical of the other reviewers so far. Maybe someday someone will be able to be more articulate than just saying: Wow! LOL! I am glad though that it has touched you so deeply. That was my intent. Thanks for reviewing.
Oh wow. I... *is speechless staring at screen blinking*
I'll say it again. Wow. I don't know how you come up with this stuff, but this one touched me deeply. thanks for sharing.
Author's reply
Hi, NiRi. I'm glad this touched you and I'm happy to share.
OHMYGOSH...Ingwion met ATAR!!!!! O_O Was it a vision? A dream? Was it real? Oh, meldonya!!! What an experience!!!
I'm just...oh, wow, I can't even describe it! That's so amazing!!!
~Kaylee!!!
Author's reply
Vision or reality... as Maranwë points out, does it really matter so long as the message is clear? Glad you enjoyed this.
Ah, an interesting turn for these elves. Very good for Ingwion to learn healing from Námo. If anyone can understand hurt, it is he.
Nice chapter. I look forward to more.
Author's reply
As Námo says, it's one reason Ingwion became his apprentice, so as to learn from someone who's 'been there, done that'.
Ah, yes: Ingwion, Sador, Laurendil, and Beleg proving that Glorfindel and Finrod aren’t the only dangerous elves in Aman....
Arafinwë nearly catatonic with grief: not good ... though understandable, I suppose.
“Lord Oromë’s Hunts are against evil creatures and while my lords Findaráto and Glorfindel may be annoying at times, I don’t think that qualifies them as being evil” -- Can we have the Valar’s opinion on that? They might not agree with “evil,” but I’m sure they could come up with something stronger than merely “annoying.”
I love the idea of the Hunt: finally someone is *doing* something! Yet where you’re going with this subplot (other than apparently an examination of Ingwion’s problems), I have no idea. Though I wouldn’t be surprised if they encountered Eärendil somewhere (yes, I’ve been saying that for more than a year now).
“The rest of you go your separate ways and leave the city as you may” -- Just don’t steal any horses....
“Believe it or not, the situation with Findaráto and Glorfindel is not necessarily our most pressing preoccupation" -- Sauron, I assume: and he’ll be on their agenda for nearly six thousand years more.
Psst: Oromë’s somehow acquired an accent he doesn’t need, when Beleg first mentions him.
Author's reply
Well, I'm not going to reply to all your comments since I've made similar comments to other reviewers, but I will reply to your last comment: yes, I think we forget that the Valar are concerned about all of Arda, not just Aman, and at this time (around 500 in the Second Age), Sauron is beginning to rise again and other events are taking place about which the elves of Aman have no clue. I thought it a good idea to remind my readers about that here and show that the Valar and Maiar do have a society of their own that has nothing to with the elves in the midst.
Thanks for the heads-up on Oromë's name. I gone in and made the corretion. Thanks also for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Have I told you lately how much I enjoy this story!!!!
In the midst of all the angst, you still make me laugh - a difficult thing the way the RW is lately! Bless you for that.
I loved Beleg's way of coping with this 'conundrum' - seems incredibly fitting. And I like the fact that you give your readers the respect due them - that we would know, or at least search for, why Beleg would be using this means of 'stress relief.' Thank you.
This is the line that sent me off giggling - 'Lord Oromë’s Hunts are against evil creatures and while my lords Findaráto and Glorfindel may be annoying at times, I don’t think that qualifies them as being evil.' I'm sure a Vala or two might give second thought to the idea....
I do love the idea of the Hunt and thought it was brilliant of our Elf to consider it. Thinking out of the box!
"You have to come closer, Ingwion," Manwë said, "I have no intention of shouting to you from here." ROTFL
'and simply assume you have given us your respect' - you are killing me this morning!
Phew! *Sits back and takes a deep breath* Glorious chapter!
Author's reply
Well, I didn't mean for this to be a funny chapter, though it does have its humorous moments. *grin* Glad it tickled your fancy, though. Anything that makes RL less stressful is a good thing. I'm sure more than one Valar would like to stretch the definition of 'evil' where Finrod and Glorfindel are concerned. *grin* We will see in a couple of chapters just what the Hunt will entail and what's its effect is. Talk about thinking outside the box! *grin* Thanks for reviewing, Agape, I appreciate it.
Hm, this is starting to get interesting, very interesting! Am I right in thinking that the Valar are going to take the opportunity to solve a few problems they have laying around with regard to Ingwion and keep the youngsters busy and out of the way while they are at it? I am thinking this has something to do with what happened to Ingwion in Aman after Feanor and his followers left for the Hither Lands?
Yes, I know I will have to wait and see, but I want to know now, pouts and stamps foot, a la Glorfindel!!!!:<)
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
Much of what was referred to in this chapter, though obliquely, has to do with what happened to Ingwion after Finrod and Glorfindel and the other Noldor left Aman at the time of the Darkening. And not just Ingwion, but his family as well as Arafinwë and Olwë and what they had to deal with during that time. I hope to begin writing the story later in the summer when I have a bit more free time for such things though I won't be posting it for some time yet. Patience, they say, is a virtue. *grin* Thanks for reviewing.
A hunt... well, it will keep them busy if nothing else! :)
Ah, more hints about the loss in Ingwion's life. I'm looking forward to seeing what and how that all plays out. I like the fact that you always bring up that there are things in their past that need to be resolved or dealt with so that they can mature into what they are supposed to be. It makes it realistic, because that's the way things are in real life.
I also loved Orome's comment that rescuing Glorfindel and Finrod were not the most pressing thing to the Valar, that there were other things going on that they had to see to. After all, the two elves are in a very safe place!
I know I've been bad at reviewing lately, but I'm enjoying every story very much! :)
Author's reply
I'm glad that you think that these little hints about Ingwion's past ring true to real life. I hope later this year to begin writing the story of Ingwion and what happened to him and others during the time of the Darkening.
And why should Finrod and Glorfindel be the most important thing on the Valar's agenda? After all there's all of Arda and perhaps even the rest of Eá for them to govern. And you're right about Finrod and Glorfindel being in a very safe place.
Thanks for reviewing. I hope you are recovering nicely from your surgery.
Hel
· 18 May 2008
· Chapter 10: Ingwion Epë Valar
A Hunt? To keep them out of trouble? I of the same opinion as Lord Namo and doubt that this will work.
But when will we learn what happened in Ingwions past? I thought for a moment you would tell.
And I don´t really understand what this last conservation between the three valar was about. Did I miss something? Is this Hunt mostly for Inwion to find healing and accept his past, beside keeping those four occupied. And forgiveness for what?
But beside all the questions it leaves open, a grat chapter.
Author's reply
Most of this chapter is really a teaser for the story I hope to write in the near future about the Darkening of Valinor and how it affected those left behind in Aman after the Noldor revolted and much of the story will center around Ingwion. The conversation at the end between the Valar is in reference to those events. When you finally read that story hopefully scenes such as these will make more sense.
In spite of the questions this chapter raises, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reviewing.